I Did Push-Ups With Snap’s Chunky AR Glasses
They fit better than they look and stay put when you move, but Snap’s $2,195 Specs still feel like a developer prototype in search of a purpose.
I decided to try the Thirty Ups workout app on Snap's AR glasses called Specs during a demo at a Los Angeles shopping mall. I started with push-ups, but only managed 12 reps before getting too hot and feeling uncomfortable. My virtual coach, a cartoon Jack-o'-lantern, kept track of my reps, counting 11 due to a skipped push-up. The glasses seemed massive on my face but stayed securely in place.
They have several AR features, including a sport mode for golf and basketball. While the glasses looked large and chunky, they felt lightweight and comfortable to wear. The virtual elements remained visible even in bright sunlight, thanks to automatic dimming. However, the AR display caused a rainbow shimmer in my vision, making it difficult to see while navigating.
The controls were finicky, and some experiences felt like ads for TV shows or shopping. Despite the appeal for developers and early adopters, the high price and lack of a standout feature make it hard to see Specs as a successful consumer product. Snap's strategy seems to be building a platform for future iterations, but for now, the glasses remain an intriguing but problematic piece of technology.
Written by urgent.news from Wired's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
